Swimming: Siblings among Aledo state contingent

Haley Roberson and Victoria Crews must love Austin in the winter. After all, the two Ladycats made it a destination location each February since 2022.

The same is true this season as the senior friends are once again returning to the Class 5A State Swim Meet at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center at the University of Texas at Austin. They are among a dozen swimmers who will be in the state capital this weekend, Feb. 21-22.

In fact, Haley is making her final trip to state special as she is joined by her younger brother Kale, a sophomore.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time we’ve had both a brother and sister competing at state — and their mom is coach,” said Aledo coach Meghan Roberson with a smile.

Haley Roberson will compete individually for a fourth straight year in the 200-yard individual medley and for a third time in the 500 freestyle. She will also swim on the 200 and 400 free relays with Crews, junior Julia Gordy, and freshman Mackenzie Oligschlaeger.

The quartet set a school record in the 200 free relay at the Region II Meet, clocking 1:41.57.

Also setting a school record in advancing to state in the boys 400 free relay are Kale Roberson, along with senior Tyler Jackson and sophomores Brayden Deboer and Ian Perez. they posted a time of 3:21.60 at regionals.

Seniors Avery Faulkner, Evan Bradley, sophomore Jaxon Robinson, and freshman Sydni Kellam are alternates. Faulkner is also a previous qualifier.

“It’s been a long season — we’ve been competing since mid-September, with consistent practices, countless hours in the water, and plenty of early morning wake-ups,” coach Roberson said. “We knew regionals would be a tough battle to qualify, so most of my athletes tapered for peak performance — and it paid off.

“The excitement of qualifying has helped them re-engage in the training process, and I know they’re eager to compete at this level.”

Coach Roberson said the returning state experience is invaluable to the program, particularly with the younger swimmers benefiting from that leadership.

“They really look up to our upperclassmen, and it’s great to see the experience, expertise, and leadership of our returning athletes being passed down,” she said. “It’s helpful that many of these athletes have attended state previously. It can be an overwhelming environment, being at the UT pool.

“Surrounding the younger swimmers with those that have been there before can help to normalize the environment. They’re there with the team they’ve been competing with for most of the season.”

On the boys’ side, all of the qualifiers are first-time state attendees. It’s been two years since Aledo qualified a boys relay.

“But given their youth and the tremendous improvement they’ve shown this season, this certainly won’t be their last trip,” the coach said.

While Haley Roberson and Crews are in Austin for a fourth straight year, the Aledo program has been competing in some capacity for many years before. Coach Roberson said it’s the culmination of not only a winning tradition, but one of hard work and determination throughout the entire Aledo sports program.

“It’s less about the tradition of competing at state and more about the tradition of hard work throughout the season that allows us to be able to continue to represent Aledo at the state competition level,” she said.